December 12, 2012

Terry was a special player for Carlisle

BOSTON -– Dallas Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle has always voiced his appreciation for what Jason Terry did for the Mavs' franchise.

When Carlisle went to Terry a few years ago to ask him to come off the bench, Terry took to it like a fish takes to water. He never voiced his displeasure with the demotion.

“It wasn’t really a buy-in thing,’’ Carlisle said after Wednesday’s shoot around at TD Garden. “He loved the challenge of it, he understood the necessity for us to be the team that we could be that itwas necessary for him to do that, and so he went at it full bore.’’

Terry played the past eight years for the Mavs, but signed a three-year, $15.675 million free agent contract this past summer with the Boston Celtics after he failed to reach an agreement with Dallas. Terry desperately wanted to remain with the Mavs, so they’re expecting him to turn his game up a notch when Dallas (11-10) meets Boston (11-9) at 7 p.m.

“He’s going to be ready to play tonight,’’ Carlisle said. “He’s ready to play every night.

“He’s a great player, and I don’t throw that word around loosely. He’s a great player and he’s got a lot of game left.’’

Terry played the last four years for Carlisle, and also helped the Mavs capture the 2011 NBA championship. Now 35 years old, Terry was known for flipping a switch and playing tremendous basketball during clutch situations in the fourth quarter.

“He’s just a special guy,’’ Carlisle said. “He’s one of the greatest players to ever wear a Mavericks uniform.

“He obviously will be Mavs royalty for life, without question. I hope some day that he comes back and can work with our franchise and I hope I’m around when he’s done playing, so maybe he and I can work together. That would be great.’’